Revealing Selfies. Not Like That.

Note to Self | Apr 19, 2017

We asked you guys to send us photos. We got a photo of a woman on the beach. A giant fish statue. Teeth.

Yes, really. 

We gave them to Andreas Weigend, veteran of Xerox Parc, former chief scientist at Amazon, to see what he could deduce. A lot, it turns out.

A little Google image search, a little metadata, and we can find where you are. Maybe who you are. What color phone you’re using to take the shot, and how many SIM cards you have.

Reading photos is more than a digital parlor trick. It’s the future of commerce, marketing, policing, lending, and basically everything else.

Support Note to Self by becoming a member today at NotetoSelfRadio.org/donate.     

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

Top Stories

Throngs of Knicks fans surge into Lower Manhattan to witness historic parade

The Knicks, NBA champions for the first time since 1973, rolled up Broadway in their first-ever ticker-tape parade.
Gothamist |

How an alleged NYC real estate scammer stayed in business despite years of complaints

Renters accuse a self-described real estate adviser of stealing their money. Getting it back has proved difficult.
Gothamist |

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods and What Are They Doing to Us?

Kevin Hall discusses his groundbreaking research tracking how bodies respond to ultra-processed foods.
The Brian Lehrer Show |

How to be a Good New York City Tour Guide

All Of It with Alison Stewart |
YOU ARE ONLINE